"Miss, I think exerting force this way when going uphill will save some energy…"
Saying this, Kagura slightly changed her posture and ran up the uphill Track.
With only a little over ten days left until Rudolph Symbol's scheduled race, Kagura also intensified her preparations. Besides her daily routine, Kagura began to offer some Reference for Rudolph Symbol's running style.
This was a decision Kagura made after careful consideration and discussion with Miss Tojo. Miss Tojo believed that Kagura, as an Uma Musume, had a better understanding of running styles than humans, so she allowed her to offer some suggestions.
Kagura also had her second meeting with Eclipse in a dream in mid-September. With Eclipse's help, she was able to step onto the Tokyo Racecourse and spar with Eclipse for a few laps, and then extensively tested the experience gained on Tracen's simulated Track.
As Kagura summarized and revised her running plan, Eclipse also used her experience to assist Kagura in making improvements. Although Kagura was still a bit unconfident, Eclipse could confidently say that this method would definitely allow Rudolph Symbol to pass the Tokyo Racecourse's slopes more effortlessly.
"…Hmm, Rudolph, you've already seen Kagura's uphill method. Do you intend to try it?"
Miss Tojo, Rudolph Symbol, and Maruzensky were all standing by the Track watching. Miss Tojo thought Kagura's uphill running style looked good, but whether it was actually effective would depend on Rudolph Symbol's feedback.
"I think it's worth a try, Kagura. That's enough, come back and explain in detail how to run it."
Rudolph Symbol became interested in Kagura's running style. Her running style did indeed look more energy-efficient, and she was also curious. She had heard that Kagura had gone to the Tokyo Racecourse to scout it out.
However, logically, the Racecourse should not have allowed Kagura to run directly on the Track. Yet, this running style, it would be impossible to figure out without having run on it for a period of time. Kagura's entire running style perfectly addressed every undulation of the Tokyo Racecourse, clearly a strategy formulated for the Racecourse. But Rudolph Symbol herself didn't have such strategic experience, let alone Kagura, who hadn't even been on the Racecourse yet.
Kagura ran a section of the Track and then trotted back. Rudolph Symbol also returned to the Track.
"Speaking of which, Kagura, how did you discover this running style? The Racecourse shouldn't allow other Uma Musume to run on it during maintenance, right?"
"I tested it out on the simulated Track at school."
Kagura naturally had no intention of revealing anything about Eclipse. Although Eclipse had helped a lot in this, to prevent herself from forgetting, Kagura even took notes of this experience and lessons in a notebook.
Rudolph Symbol nodded, not pressing further, and caught up with Kagura to begin training for the new running style… "Trainer~ What are you thinking about? You seem quite puzzled?"
Maruzensky asked curiously as she watched Miss Tojo intently observe Rudolph Symbol while looking at her tablet, a hint of confusion on her face.
"Kagura's running style… is quite complete, and she also gave me this thing this morning."
Miss Tojo picked up the tablet and opened a document. It was a richly illustrated article with many pictures. Maruzensky glanced at it; the document's title was "Tokyo Racecourse Strategy (First Edition)."
The content of the article was also very fitting for the title. This strategy covered various areas of the entire Racecourse, big and small: slopes, straights, and turns. It even thoughtfully included colored pictures of the corresponding locations on the Racecourse. It was evident that the author put a lot of effort into writing this document.
"Oh… the little sister's article is so detailed, Trainer. Can I have a copy too?"
"I was indeed planning to give you a copy, and Kagura agreed. Didn't you just ask me why I seemed so puzzled?"
"Yes, this strategy's countermeasures are very comprehensive. It even talks about how to contend for the Racecourse with other Uma Musume if you fall behind, and where it's suitable to seize opportunities to break through… Does the Trainer see any problems?"
"No, the strategy itself has no problems. Rather, it's written with too much substance. It's no exaggeration to say that if I were to package and print this document and sell it at school, it would fetch a good price. But think about it, the author of this document is Kagura, a child who has never even been on a Racecourse. She only walked around the outside of the Racecourse, yet she could know the details of Racecourse contention and breakthroughs so thoroughly?"
At this point, Maruzensky also understood what Miss Tojo was trying to convey. The Tokyo Racecourse was currently undergoing maintenance, so it was impossible for Kagura to be allowed to conduct practical drills on it. Moreover, even if practical drills were needed, gaining experience in Racecourse contention certainly couldn't be achieved by merely watching videos; another Uma Musume would have to assist. But she didn't recall ever seeing Kagura ask anyone to help her train.
"The person who wrote this strategy is an old hand, and a seasoned veteran. It might not have been completed by Kagura alone, but… does she have such a strong Uma Musume by her side?"
"Did Speed Symbol help her?"
"I asked this morning. Speed Symbol was unaware of this. Furthermore, Speed Symbol has not set foot on the Tokyo Racecourse for decades, so it's impossible for her to know it so clearly. Kagura usually stays active within the school and rarely goes out. The only person she frequently moves around with is Excellent Quality. During this time on the Track, I only saw her training and exploring by herself."
It wasn't that there was anything wrong; Miss Tojo was just curious about the Uma Musume who assisted Kagura. After all, the other party could write in such detail, so even if she wasn't a master, she must have been an experienced veteran. But within Tracen, in Kagura's displayed social circle, such a person did not seem to exist.
If she could find the other party, Miss Tojo would even want to talk to that Uma Musume's Trainer about whether she could borrow her for a friendly race or some guidance. Her team members all needed practical experience, but Tracen was currently in a transitional period, and it was truly difficult to find suitable people for practical drills.
"Why don't you ask Kagura?"
"Kagura has always insisted that she completed it, which means she doesn't intend to reveal that person. You also know that Kagura is a very humble and simple child, not the type to casually take credit for others' achievements. That can only mean the other party made a request to her…"
"…Requested the little sister to conceal her identity, is that it?"
Seeing Maruzensky nod, Miss Tojo knew she had understood her meaning and did not continue speaking.
"I'm so curious… who could Kagura's assistant possibly be?"
…"By the way, Miss, Miss Tojo and I have also investigated your opponents for that race."
"Oh? How is it? Are there any troublesome opponents?"
Rudolph Symbol, having finished training, took the towel Kagura handed her and asked while drinking water.
"If our judgment is correct, there's no one here who can pose a threat. Miss only needs to run according to her own feeling."
Kagura and Miss Tojo watched the past race videos of Rudolph Symbol's opponents for this race. To ensure the authority of her judgment, Kagura even had Eclipse watch with her and offer suggestions.
Based on the state data Rudolph Symbol displayed during her previous runs with Kagura, Eclipse judged that these opponents couldn't even threaten Kagura, let alone Rudolph Symbol.
Miss Tojo's judgment was similar; she also didn't find any threatening opponents among them. So, after their research, the tactical decision for Rudolph Symbol was to let her run by feel.
"Is that so… you really do trust me. There's no absolute in a race. What if?"
Rudolph Symbol was very confident in her own strength, but she also believed that the Racecourse was a place full of surprises, and overconfidence was not to be tolerated.
"Then that's when your racing awareness is needed, Miss~ I believe you can definitely do it. Don't feel any pressure. If you feel nervous again and want a hug like that night, I don't mind, you know."
"Haha… I might really need to trouble you the day before the race. And during this time too, ever since you came to the school, I've been troubling you to cook and clean for me, running around, even though you're still so young…"
"It's no trouble, and you don't need to worry about me. I am a Support Musume, and taking care of you, ensuring you maintain optimal racing condition, is precisely my duty."
Previously, Rudolph Symbol thought that having one Trainer to assist her was enough, but after Kagura, the Support Musume, arrived, she gradually began to feel that having more people to assist her wasn't necessarily a troublesome thing.
Although the initial intention of bringing Kagura to school was to let her get an early exposure to Tracen, Rudolph Symbol found that this goal had gradually become somewhat skewed. She had originally wanted to take more care of this child, but now it seemed… 'If Kagura is by my side, it's okay to relax a little, right…?'
The race was imminent, and Rudolph Symbol had less and less time to spare. Kagura had done an excellent job of balancing her work and rest during this period. She suddenly understood where Speed Symbol's evaluation of Kagura came from when he sent Kagura over.
"…Miss? Miss? Are you listening?"
Kagura's voice brought Rudolph Symbol back from her reverie.
"Sorry, I was lost in thought just now. What is it?"
"Today's training is over. We still have over a week to train, and I believe with Miss's talent, you'll master this new running style in a few days."
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